A rising number of U.S. citizens residing overseas are opting to relinquish their citizenship, not solely due to tax or legal issues but increasingly because of discontent with the country’s political trajectory. Immigration attorneys note that political dissatisfaction, previously uncommon in such decisions, is now a primary factor. A survey conducted in 2025 revealed that almost half of American expats are contemplating renouncing their citizenship, with many pointing to events like the January 6 Capitol riots, gun violence, and the erosion of voting rights.
According to The Washington Post, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Americans renounce their citizenship annually. While in the past, the decisions were mainly driven by daunting tax reporting obligations and logistical challenges related to U.S. tax laws, lawyers and expats now emphasize that politics, particularly divisive leadership and partisan conflicts, are increasingly influential.
One American expat in London, who chose to remain anonymous out of concern for repercussions, initiated the renunciation process the day after learning of Donald Trump’s reelection. “I want a divorce,” he conveyed to the U.S. Embassy. For him, this marked the definitive separation after years of detachment. Formerly proud of his American heritage, he now identifies solely as British, stating, “Once I renounce, that’s it. I’m just British.”
Similarly, other Americans living abroad express similar sentiments. Many no longer identify with the nation they left behind, attributing the shift to the surge in political extremism, threats to voting rights, mass shootings, and widening cultural disparities. For some, the tipping point was the Capitol riot on January 6.
While a significant number of U.S. expats are renouncing their citizenship, others are taking significant risks to enter the country, often opting for unconventional routes. Migrants navigate through South America, brave the perilous Darien Gap, or enter via Canada, traversing Central America and Mexico, often paying substantial fees to agents for a hazardous and uncertain journey, resulting in numerous fatalities annually.
Under the presidency of Donald Trump, the U.S. has toughened the citizenship test, introducing extensive interviews, a more rigorous civics exam, and heightened scrutiny of applicants’ “good moral character.”
The U.S. stands out as one of the few countries that taxes its citizens irrespective of their residence. This unique taxation approach forces Americans residing abroad to file annual tax returns, potentially facing fines or dual taxation. These financial and administrative challenges have long irked expats, with some foreign banks declining American clients due to stringent U.S. reporting regulations.
The latest wave of renouncers, including members of online communities like the Renounce US Citizenship – Why and How Facebook group, increasingly point to dissatisfaction with U.S. politics and policies as a key driver for their decision.
Legal professionals like Maya Buckley in London note that politics now frequently emerges as a primary rationale for renouncing citizenship. A survey conducted by Greenback in 2025 indicated that nearly half of American citizens abroad are contemplating renunciation, with over half citing political discontent.
Although taxes were cited by 61% of respondents as a reason for renunciation and dissatisfaction with the U.S. government or political course by 51%, the decision to renounce American citizenship is intricate, costly, and permanent.
For expats such as Colleen McCutcheon, the decision to renounce citizenship felt imperative. McCutcheon, born in Ohio to an American mother and Canadian father, spent her formative years in Canada, eventually settling in London for studies and work. Increasingly disconnected from her American identity due to concerns over issues like the opioid crisis, healthcare, and toxic political discourse, returning to the U.S. became inconceivable.
After formally commencing the renunciation process upon learning she could permanently stay in the UK, McCutcheon, like many, faced uncertainties regarding potential obstacles when reentering the U.S. post-renunciation.
In Canada, an attorney reported a surge in inquiries about leaving the U.S. following the November presidential election. Mario Bellissimo, a Toronto-based immigration lawyer, noted a 300% increase in inquiries post-election and another uptick after the January 20 inauguration. Veronica Riley, an immigration lawyer in Sarnia, also reported heightened interest from Americans exploring pathways to permanent residency in Canada, even those previously uninterested in the option.